posted at 2:01 pm on September 26, 2012 by Ed Morrissey

Team Romney and the RNC have begun taking up Barack Obama’s challenge about the poor and middle class — and are unrolling a new effort to point out Obama’s failure to improve the economy as needed for both to progress. Romney talks directly into the camera in this new 60-second spot, telling voters that while both candidates care about the poor and middle class, one of them has failed in four years to do anything significant to help either. More Americans now live in poverty than when the Obama recovery began, Romney says, and 15 million more people have become dependent on food stamps. “We shouldn’t measure compassion by how many people are on welfare,” Romney says. “We should measure compassion by how many people get off welfare and get a good-paying job.”

“Too many Americans are struggling to find work in today’s economy. Too many of those that are working are living paycheck to paycheck, trying to make falling incomes meeting rising prices for food and gas,” says Romney in the ad. “More Americans are living in poverty than when President Obama took office, and 15 million more are on food stamps.”

“President Obama and I both care about poor and middle class families, the difference is my policies will make things better for them,” Romney continues. …

In his new ad, Romney concludes by touting his economic policies.

“My plan will create 12 million new jobs over the next four years, helping to lift families out of poverty and strengthening the middle class,” he says. “I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message because we can’t afford another four years like the last four years.”

Meanwhile, Barack Obama visits Kent State University in Ohio today, the first time in four years. The RNC sent out an e-mail that highlighted Obama’s speech in 2008 complaining about the decline in median household income and other indicators for the middle class — and compared it to Obama’s performance as President, especially in Ohio:

FLASHBACK: When Obama Last Visited Kent State University As A Candidate, He Lamented The Fact That Incomes Had Declined By $2,000 And The National Debt Had Increased By $4 Trillion. OBAMA: “When Bill Clinton was president, the average family income went up $7,500; $7,500. Since George Bush has been president, you know what it’s done? It’s gone down $2,000. Think about that. That’s a $9,500 swing; $9,500. That’s money out of your pocket. That’s money going out of this country because we’re borrowing it from China to send to Saudi Arabia to buy oil. That’s what’s added $4 trillion to our deficit. I mean, think about that. You know, so we’ve created a mountain of debt for the next generation that they’re going to have to pay off. This little guy, he’s not too worried about it right now, but, you know, we’ve created $30,000 worth of debt for every man, woman and child in America. That’s going to have to be paid back.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Kent State University, New Philadelphia, OH, 9/3/08)

Under Obama, Median Household Income In Ohio Has Declined By $4,387, From $50,136 To $45,749. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/26/12)

In 2010, Ohio Households Were “Poorer” Than They Had Been In More Than 25 Years. “Ohio households were poorer last year than they’ve been in more than 25 years, and the number of people living in poverty is higher than it’s been in more than 30 years, according to a census report released yesterday.” (Bill Bush, “Median Income In Ohio Hits 27-Year Low,” Columbus Dispatch, 9/14/12)

The Republican campaign really needs to hammer on these data points, especially in Ohio and Florida, but also throughout the Rust Belt. We’re going to hear a lot of soft-hearted — and soft-headed — arguments about Romney’s wealth and his lack of connection to the poor and middle class from media analysts. Voters need to see the direction in which Obama has taken both the poor and middle class in three-plus years of recovery. This ad is a good start, especially with Romney speaking directly to voters about these issues. He needs to do more talking over the heads of the media and spend that cash advantage to get his message across.

For those who are wondering why Romney would repeatedly say ‘something nice’ about Obama, I’d ask you when was the last time you saw anyone Democrat in any real substantive position level a charge of ‘racism’ against Romney?

By throwing in a one-liner saying that Obama isn’t a complete creep, Romney defangs those on the left who toss around that ‘racist’ term as a weapon to try and discredit EVERYTHING that the GOP candidate…or anyone with whom they disagree, really… has to say.

Little clearly racist morons like ‘Toure’ don’t count, and someone who’s so biased that his charges of racism aren’t just expected, their now considered trite, EVEN BY THE LEFT, like Chris Matthews, don’t count…even to the left. No one who is even remotely credible uses that line of attack now. Its useless for them to attempt in the face of a candidate who consistently acknowledges that his opponent is a ‘nice guy’.

This is a strategy that counters all those charges that Romney is attacking Obama as ‘the other’ or that Romney is attacking Obama simply because of ‘race’. They first had to resort to trying to say virtually every word Romney uttered was a ‘dog whistle’ to racism, and now even that charge has worn itself threadbare and shown itself for what it is… ridiculous.

That entire line of offense, by the Democrats, has effectively been rendered useless to them, as it should be.

Finally, I think of another GOP candidate who did the same thing, although for different reasons, in his campaigns for the Presidency. Ronald Reagan…but then people called it part of his ‘sunny optimism.’

Translation: I want Obama out, but not if it means Romney getting elected.

SWalker on September 26, 2012 at 2:50 PM

No. Translation.

Mitt Romney does not have a chance of wining this. Never has.

I simply accepted reality much sooner than most here.

I got sick towards the end of the 2008 debacle when these boards will still saying McCain would win. Not this time. This time I am realistic.

Ed Rendell was right today. Ed a democrat loved the 2002 version of Mitt the Moderate Liberal. Said Mitts Romney Care plan was wonderful. Sorry but if that is the real Mitt I want nothing to do with him. That is Obama to a tee on Health Care.

“If you are an Eeyore, or suspect you might be, today’s the day you need to understand how much damage you’re doing and how Barack Obama loves everything you do to demoralize, depress, and dispirit others in conservative ranks.”

I got sick towards the end of the 2008 debacle when these boards will still saying McCain would win. Not this time. This time I am realistic.

Steveangell on September 26, 2012 at 2:58 PM

I remember people saying they hoped he would win and that Sarah Palin might pull him over the finish line. I heard people like Rush pushing for people to vote. I don’t recall anybody vociferously saying he would win. We knew he was a very flawed candidate who ran a completely self-defeatist campaign.

There may have been a feeling of long odds, but people weren’t giving up. Americans don’t do that, they don’t look out and say, “yep, we’re gonna lose” and then curl up in fetal position sucking their thumbs.

This is different right now, we see what the pollsters are doing, same as they’ve always done, skewed the polls to shape opinion until right up before the election and start trending to measuring opinion to maintain a shred of respectability for the next election. It’s not time to throw in the towel

Mitt also needs to hammer Obama mercilessly on the assignation of a United States Ambassador by Al Qaeda on the 11th Anniversary of 9/11 which was 100 percent made possible because of the incompetency of the Obamanation Administration.

SWalker on September 26, 2012 at 2:15 PM

He shouldn’t ignore it the issue, but Romney can’t lead with that. If the election becomes an issue of foreign policy we’ll loose. This should be pointed out as the incompetence of O, but keep shifting back to the economy. No matter how you see it O will not win on economic issues, reason why he would love to shift the debate entirely to foreign policy (and distractions like gay marriage, abortions, student loans, and such).

Obama is a chimera, a fiction, a non-person. You can’t fight that, it is like trying to nail jello to the wall. Being aggressive and addressing Obama’s personal failings would only make Mitt look crazy and full of sour grapes.

Romney is speaking directly to voters and to the concerns of independents and uncommitteds. I don’t think those voters really care if Obama is a liar or anything else. ‘How will you make things better?” is all they care about at this point

Undecided voters need to trust Mitt more than Obama, and I think this ad supports that strategy.

This is different right now, we see what the pollsters are doing, same as they’ve always done, skewed the polls to shape opinion until right up before the election and start trending to measuring opinion to maintain a shred of respectability for the next election. It’s not time to throw in the towel

AZfederalist on September 26, 2012 at 3:05 PM

No this is exactly the same as 2008.

That poll that only 54% like either candidate down from 72% in 2008 is deadly to Mitt’s chances.

The undecided voters aren’t going to Romney’s stump speeches, are they? The press isn’t covering them, are they? And if they do, it is only for the parts that they “select.” Romney needs to make his case to the movable voters. Preaching to the choir isn’t going to cut it.

besser tot als rot on September 26, 2012 at 2:27 PM

Its not only on the stump speeches that Romney has listed his “five point plan” to bring around the economy. He does it in EVERY chance he gets…stump…speeches…interviews with news networks, etc. Its always been there, but its just not good enough for some. What people don’t seem to realize is that these TV ad spots are NOT for specifics. There just isn’t enough time for it in a 30/60 second spot! These are for generics and attacks, which Romney does do. And I think he does them well. And you know what? I think the “five point plan” of Romney is working. Today Rush spoke about a new Obama announcement. Guess what The One is doing now? He’s releasing a five point plan on how to change the economy! If Romney’s marketing of his five point plan isn’t working, why would Obama be duplicating the strategy?

‘How will you make things better?” is all they care about at this point

Undecided voters need to trust Mitt more than Obama, and I think this ad supports that strategy.

Mitsouko on September 26, 2012 at 3:05 PM

How exactly?

What is Mitts plan to create 12 million jobs when we are most likely going into another recession?

I know lower taxes on all but the top 1% who will pay more because of deductions done away with. How is that supposed to work? Those people are the ones that hire people. Mitt is raising their tax bill?

“If you are an Eeyore, or suspect you might be, today’s the day you need to understand how much damage you’re doing and how Barack Obama loves everything you do to demoralize, depress, and dispirit others in conservative ranks.”

Eeyore >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Steveangell

jazzmo on September 26, 2012 at 3:04 PM

There are going to be two entertaining days in the future:

1 – the day we get to drink the sweet, sweet tears of the Obamabots when they lose the election.

2 – the day we get to drink the bitter, bitter tears of the Mittbots who are shocked – shocked, never saw it coming despite all evidence to the contrary – to find that their guy is a liberal.

Yeah, I want Mitt to win because I hate Obama so very, very much, and because the GOP liberal establishment and you early primary bastards foisted Romney on the rest of us, leaving us with zero alternatives.

I have a simple dream; someday, the GOP will offer up a conservative as a candidate instead of a lib-lite milquetoast with a proven liberal track record. What a crazy friggin idea.

Excuse the hell outta me for an insufficient lack of enthusiasm, m’kay?

Is this a web ad? Every time I see the “Donate” button at the end, I wonder if Romney is only preaching to the choir hoping more people will “Donate”, instead of talking into people’s living rooms while swing-state voters are watching sports or sitcoms–the voters Romney really needs to reach.

“If you are an Eeyore, or suspect you might be, today’s the day you need to understand how much damage you’re doing and how Barack Obama loves everything you do to demoralize, depress, and dispirit others in conservative ranks.”

Eeyore >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Steveangell

jazzmo on September 26, 2012 at 3:04 PM

Give me a break.

I am but one voice on a blog.

I attack Obama with full venom all the time.

I just do not worship Mitt Romney. I an not deluded thinking he will win now when all the evidence says he will lose.

Excuse the hell outta me for an insufficient lack of enthusiasm, m’kay?

Midas on September 26, 2012 at 3:20 PM

But why don’t you take it your lack of enthusiasm elsewhere? All you and a few others do is demoralize others. To what end? Nothing can be changed at this point. There is only one choice and it is what it is.

I just do not worship Mitt Romney. I an not deluded thinking he will win now when all the evidence says he will lose.

Steveangell on September 26, 2012 at 3:24 PM

I don’t think anyone worships Romney. But most of us are practical and make a reasoned decision. Most of us realize not voting for Romney helps Obama.

All the evidence? You mean like the fact that any incumbent under 50% has never won re-election? Like the latest Rasmussen numbers that show the race with Romney leading or within 2% or better in the swing states? Okay. Just keep it up Eeyore.

Dor those who still doubt tthat the polls are skewed, here’s from Battleground Watch on voter registration:

In Ohio, voters are not required to give a party affiliation when they register to vote.

In 2008 according to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s website, Democrats out numbered Republicans by 174,000, 1.48 million to 1.30 million. The unaffiliated voters totaled 5.1 million.

In 2012, Democrats went from 1.48 million down to 827,000. That is a loss of 653,000. Republicans went from 1.3 million down to 894,000. That is a loss of 412,000.

The most dramatic change however was in unaffiliated voters. This segment of voters rose from 5.1 million to 6.3 million. That is an increase of 1.2 million more unaffiliated voters in the Buckeye state.

This was a cataclysmic shift away from the two major parties, although a larger shift away from the Democrats.

This gives Republicans the advantage in two distinct ways. First, their are now 67,000 more registered Republicans than their are Democrats. Second, more voters decided to leave the Democrat Party in favor of being unaffiliated/undeclared or Independent.

1 – the day we get to drink the sweet, sweet tears of the Obamabots when they lose the election.

2 – the day we get to drink the bitter, bitter tears of the Mittbots who are shocked – shocked, never saw it coming despite all evidence to the contrary – to find that their guy is a liberal.

Yeah, I want Mitt to win because I hate Obama so very, very much, and because the GOP liberal establishment and you early primary bastards foisted Romney on the rest of us, leaving us with zero alternatives.

I have a simple dream; someday, the GOP will offer up a conservative as a candidate instead of a lib-lite milquetoast with a proven liberal track record. What a crazy friggin idea.

Excuse the hell outta me for an insufficient lack of enthusiasm, m’kay?

Midas on September 26, 2012 at 3:20 PM

There are maybe four posters here (and I’m probably being generous) that are actual Mittbots.

As usual, I have to perform the PSA and advise the clueless that most of us had other people on our list and Romney was at the bottom of it, if even on the list.

****HOWEVER**** being the practical conservatives that we are, we know that another four years of Obama will bring chaos that might not be survivable (and I’m sorry to say that my ramblings about this not being only about the economy had to be so tragic).

So hence we are reluctant, but practical people who are going to gladly go and vote for who will probably continue the status quo and possibly do some good. Who knows? But we’re not *expecting* it.

Sorry (not really) to ruin your perfectly good misrepresentation of about 90% of the posters here.

But why don’t you take it your lack of enthusiasm elsewhere? All you and a few others do is demoralize others. To what end? Nothing can be changed at this point. There is only one choice and it is what it is.

jazzmo on September 26, 2012 at 3:28 PM

Oh, I’m so sorry. I missed the banner that said this was for pom-pom-romney cheerleaders only! I hope I didn’t damage any frail quivering waifs in danger of fainting at the sound of something less than full-on Romneyism.

Would this be better?

Romney, Romney, he’s our man!
If he can’t do it… well, he said Obama’s a nice guy, so maybe *he* can, but…

This just shows how idiotic and short sighted Stevie is. Wouldn’t you think he’d *want* Romney to win in order to have four years of possible gloating when Romney goes full RINO?
kim roy on September 26, 2012 at 3:31 PM

I will be so glad come Nov 7 when all these people that only know how to attack with the f word and such are gone. Man get a grip someone uses the f word when they lose an argument.

All the evidence? You mean like the fact that any incumbent under 50% has never won re-election? Like the latest Rasmussen numbers that show the race with Romney leading or within 2% or better in the swing states?

2% right? 2% after someone corrects the polls assuming that the polls are all fixed.

Did it ever occur to you that perhaps a lot of conservatives will be so discouraged by the choice of a Democrat or a Liberal Moderate that they might just not vote? That pulling the lever for Obama Care or Romney Care is simply not acceptable to them. That the pollsters just might be right about low Republican voting for Romney.

Of course not. You worship Romney and see none of his flaws even when they are pointed out to you.

I remember 2008 crowds doing the same thing. They cheered loudly and showed up in droves for Pallin. But they did neither for McCain. Come November they also did not vote for McCain. This is no different.

Never in an American Election did only 54% prefer either of the two main candidates. 42% do not want Obama or Romney. But I will bet that most of that 42% are Republicans.

Oh, I’m so sorry. I missed the banner that said this was for pom-pom-romney cheerleaders only! I hope I didn’t damage any frail quivering waifs in danger of fainting at the sound of something less than full-on Romneyism.

Would this be better?

Romney, Romney, he’s our man!
If he can’t do it… well, he said Obama’s a nice guy, so maybe *he* can, but…

Did it ever occur to you that perhaps a lot of conservatives will be so discouraged by the choice of a Democrat or a Liberal Moderate that they might just not vote? That pulling the lever for Obama Care or Romney Care is simply not acceptable to them.

Romney’s people are making this too complex, and forgetting, as Bill Maher accurately stated, that most of the undecideds and people in the middle are low-info voters, and will not go do any indepedent research.

The ad should be simple.

Show Obama golfing and drinking, and have a voice over say..

“While Obama lives the good life on your dime, (1) gas prices have doubled in 4 years, (2)unemployment has risen, (3) healthcare has been ruined, (4) and the debt has risen by over 35% percent. Do you want gas prices to go up again, jobs to keep going overseas, healthcare to become less affordable as Obamacare gets implemented, and the debt to go over 20 billion, endangering Social Security and Medicare? If not, you have a choice. I am Mitt Romney, and i approved this message.”

Quick, easy, and effective. Give low-info voters 4 bad things to remember about Obama, and Romney can get their votes. Make things complex, and like most things, it gets lost on them.

No the red meat crowd simply wants Mitt to grow a pair and stop saying anything nice about Obama. No one’s saying call him a commie(although he is one). Tell the truth over and over again about what he has done to the country and what he will end up doing to the country unless he is defeated. This nice guy crap isn’t working, repeat it isn’t working, repeat again it isn’t working.
bgibbs1000 on September 26, 2012 at 2:47 PM

He’s been doing that throughout. And everyone knows he’s been doing it. The public is aware of the damge done by Obama. They want to know whether Mitt can fix it.

Our side blew it yesterday with the failure to report on and praise Mitt’s brilliant speech to the Clinton Global Initiative. Your constant attacks are merely annoying. The failure of our pundits to stand up for Mitt is disturbing.

The difference between me and you is that despite his flaws, I realize removing Obama is the objective of this election.

jazzmo on September 26, 2012 at 3:46 PM

No the difference is I am quite Conservative. You are more moderate. Thus Mitt is not that big a jump for you.

I simply could never stomach someone that could sign Cap and Trade into law, sign Mass Care into law etc.

I could go on but it would just be piling on.

I am far more worried about 2016 than 2012 is the other difference. I look at what it would be like in 2016 were Mitt to win. I can not imagine it would be anything but far worse than it was in 2008 for the Republican Party. I can not imagine that Romney with the world against him and with political leanings not that different than Obama could possibly be successful. The Press would to a hundred times worse to him than they did to GW Bush. No one will even talk about him they destroyed him so effectively. Thus electing Romney 2012 would very likely mean Obama in 2016 with all three branches.

Obama should be the last straw for all the democrat victim groups. The democrat victim groups that have utterly whored themselves to this corrupt and cynical den of thieves and liars. There is not one democrat victim group that is better off today than they were 60 years ago. They gave up their liberty to enrich democrat politicians, the ‘intellectual elite’, and the lawyers.

Our side blew it yesterday with the failure to report on and praise Mitt’s brilliant speech to the Clinton Global Initiative. Your constant attacks are merely annoying. The failure of our pundits to stand up for Mitt is disturbing.

Basilsbest on September 26, 2012 at 3:48 PM

I listened to that entire speech. You are right that Mitt Romney gave a great speech there. He praised hugely this program. You know the Clinton Program. You remember Clinton the impeached Democrat President.

But Mitt gave a great speech because that is where Mitt is. Mitt is very Moderate far more in line with Clinton than the base. He always speaks with ease among moderate to very Democratic crowds. That is where he is comfortable.

Mitt is just in the wrong Party. We are NOT the party that gives billions to dictatorships (354 million to Haiti alone) to make them successful. Most likely why this was not highlighted.

I listened to that entire speech. You are right that Mitt Romney gave a great speech there. He praised hugely this program. You know the Clinton Program. You remember Clinton the impeached Democrat President.

But Mitt gave a great speech because that is where Mitt is. Mitt is very Moderate far more in line with Clinton than the base. He always speaks with ease among moderate to very Democratic crowds. That is where he is comfortable.

Mitt is just in the wrong Party. We are NOT the party that gives billions to dictatorships (354 million to Haiti alone) to make them successful. Most likely why this was not highlighted.

Steveangell on September 26, 2012 at 4:02 PM

You are correct Mr. Angell. We have no other choice but to reelect Barack Hussein Obama if we want that chance to remove him from office. Time is too short now to impeach him. He must be reelected.

I am far more worried about 2016 than 2012 is the other difference. I look at what it would be like in 2016 were Mitt to win. I can not imagine it would be anything but far worse than it was in 2008 for the Republican Party. I can not imagine that Romney with the world against him and with political leanings not that different than Obama could possibly be successful. The Press would to a hundred times worse to him than they did to GW Bush. No one will even talk about him they destroyed him so effectively. Thus electing Romney 2012 would very likely mean Obama in 2016 with all three branches.

Steveangell on September 26, 2012 at 3:53 PM

And you think that the demographics favor the cons in 2016 or past 2016.???? Then you are not only delusional, but dumb too….the demographics shift + people enjoying 4 years of free health care and other entitlements will ensure that the cons stand no chance in heck to ever win an election for decades…so, yeah, Greece, baby…or Spain…make your pick :) (or shall I say pick your poison)…personally I have choices, I won’t stay and wait for the big shite to hit the fan here, but you will still be here spouting the same inanities while the moochers will have dragged the country into third world territory for many generations to come….enjoy, idiot!!!

The poverty rate in one of the cities in my state jumped from 20 to over 24% in 2011. 24%. I wonder how many other cities are seeing that kind of increase. “More people living in poverty” is probably stating the facts mildly.

The only sickening thing is I’m forced to choose between two very bad candidates. One that will complete the move to marxism, the other will simply manage the status quo. The one that will complete the move to marxism is fighting harder for his cause than the one that will manage the status quo. It’s the lessor of two evils and it’s sickening.

And you think that the demographics favor the cons in 2016 or past 2016.???? Then you are not only delusional, but dumb too….the demographics shift + people enjoying 4 years of free health care and other entitlements will ensure that the cons stand no chance in heck to ever win an election for decades…so, yeah, Greece, baby…or Spain…make your pick :) (or shall I say pick your poison)…personally I have choices, I won’t stay and wait for the big shite to hit the fan here, but you will still be here spouting the same inanities while the moochers will have dragged the country into third world territory for many generations to come….enjoy, idiot!!!

jimver on September 26, 2012 at 4:28 PM

And just who enabled this shift in demographics? The RINO’s in the republican party that’s who, like McLame, Grahamnesty, the Maine stepsisters just to name a few and now their guy can’t even beat a marxist for the presidency. And we’re suppose to shutup and fall in line…no thanks.

The only sickening thing is I’m forced to choose between two very bad candidates. One that will complete the move to marxism, the other will simply manage the status quo. The one that will complete the move to marxism is fighting harder for his cause than the one that will manage the status quo. It’s the lessor of two evils and it’s sickening.

Thread winner. What we needed was a strong candidate to challenge a sitting President who is extremely vulnerable on economic issues, what we got instead was Mitt Romney.

The only sickening thing is I’m forced to choose between two very bad candidates. One that will complete the move to marxism, the other will simply manage the status quo. The one that will complete the move to marxism is fighting harder for his cause than the one that will manage the status quo. It’s the lessor of two evils and it’s sickening.

bgibbs1000 on September 26, 2012 at 4:28 PM

The “Status Quo” will seem like paradise compared to what four more years of a more “flexible” Obama will wrought.

What we needed was a strong candidate to challenge a sitting President who is extremely vulnerable on economic issues, what we got instead was Mitt Romney.

newtopia on September 26, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Just a little over one month to go. What is your solution? You are the mirror image of the enlightened extreme leftist who knows better than everyone else. Exactly what should be done NOW? In the real world.

And you think that the demographics favor the cons in 2016 or past 2016.???? Then you are not only delusional, but dumb too….the demographics shift + people enjoying 4 years of free health care and other entitlements will ensure that the cons stand no chance in heck to ever win an election for decades…so, yeah, Greece, baby…or Spain…make your pick :) (or shall I say pick your poison)…personally I have choices, I won’t stay and wait for the big shite to hit the fan here, but you will still be here spouting the same inanities while the moochers will have dragged the country into third world territory for many generations to come….enjoy, idiot!!!

jimver on September 26, 2012 at 4:28 PM

And just who enabled this shift in demographics? The RINO’s in the republican party that’s who, like McLame, Grahamnesty, the Maine stepsisters just to name a few and now their guy can’t even beat a marxist for the presidency. And we’re suppose to shutup and fall in line…no thanks.

bgibbs1000 on September 26, 2012 at 4:35 PM

No, you’re supposed to eat your own shite for four more years and enjoy your next ten marxist presidents, and the status of zimbabwe :)…I just realize now that you are part of that brain dead electorate that I was mentioning in my post…and yes, Schade is right, imbeciles like you deserve Obama…I am only sorry for those amazingly hard working people who will be reduced to pauperity for no fault of their own…they will have you, idiots, to thank….

What people don’t seem to realize is that these TV ad spots are NOT for specifics. There just isn’t enough time for it in a 30/60 second spot! These are for generics and attacks, which Romney does do. And I think he does them well. And you know what? I think the “five point plan” of Romney is working. Today Rush spoke about a new Obama announcement. Guess what The One is doing now? He’s releasing a five point plan on how to change the economy! If Romney’s marketing of his five point plan isn’t working, why would Obama be duplicating the strategy?

Highlar on September 26, 2012 at 3:10 PM

The five point plan is not specifics. That is pretty high level. You know that the points are quite short and can be articulated in mere seconds, right? Instead, whenever you see him in an ad or on TV, he is referring merely to “my plan.” And how it will create 12 million jobs. The details are never presented.

And, quite frankly, I don’t know what in the five point plan is an easy sell to garner enthusiasm unless he further links it to how it is going to bring success. None of the points in the five point plan is articulated in a way that will create a bandwagon effect – which is what he needs. If any of the points were going to gain traction, they would have penetrated into the public consciousness by now. They haven’t.

Our side blew it yesterday with the failure to report on and praise Mitt’s brilliant speech to the Clinton Global Initiative. Your constant attacks are merely annoying. The failure of our pundits to stand up for Mitt is disturbing.

Basilsbest on September 26, 2012 at 3:48 PM

I listened to that entire speech. You are right that Mitt Romney gave a great speech there. He praised hugely this program. You know the Clinton Program. You remember Clinton the impeached Democrat President.

Steveangell on September 26, 2012 at 4:02 PM

I’d like to see Romney put together a “Romney Initiative” and give a brilliant speech on that. And maybe make an ad or two about it.

It’s getting to the point where I just want to yell – shut up, shut up, shut up.

Romney is far from perfect but I’ll crawl over broken glass in a blizzard to vote for him.

gophergirl on September 26, 2012 at 3:11 PM

I’m with you 100%!! Let’s have an election!! If we lose (and we won’t) we can sort it out then!! I’m not going to be bluffed or psyched out of voting and I know millions of others won’t be either!! Enough of this whiny BS of defeatism!!

He’s been doing that throughout. And everyone knows he’s been doing it. The public is aware of the damge done by Obama. They want to know whether Mitt can fix it.

Basilsbest on September 26, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Wrong. The public thinks that the damage was done by Bush. Romney has done little to point to Obama’s policies and identify how they, separate from the Bush policies (or as a continuation of the Bush policies), have been disastrous themselves.

You are right about the public wanting to know that Romney can, and has a plan to, fix it. Romney needs to make this case directly to the people. He can’t rely on one-off speeches to get it done, either. The press is not on his side and will not cast anything he does in a favorable light. I was in the airport the other day and they had CNN on there and cut to a Romney speech. He looked awful, and I’m pretty sure that was by design. His speeches will be covered only to the extent that they can hurt him, not in any way that they can help him. Romney needs to go around the press and appeal directly to the people.